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Game changer? Cognitive-motor effects of VR exergaming compared to video-based training.

Mona Herden·Sidney Grosprêtre·Pauline Eon·Laura Luise Bischoff·Bettina Wollesen
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Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Virtual reality (VR) exergaming enhances several cognitive domains through multisensory engagement. Acute cognitive benefits of VR are established, but evidence for direct comparisons with non-immersive controls is limited. This study aimed to determine whether VR exercise provides additional cognitive and cognitive-motor benefits beyond a matched non-immersive active stick-fight video (SFV) intervention, and whether effects persist after training. METHODS: In this randomized quasi-experimental study, N&#x2009;=&#x2009;55 healthy adults (VR: n&#x2009;=&#x2009;30; SFV: n&#x2009;=&#x2009;25; 25.5&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;7.1&#x2009;years; 41.8% female) completed an 8-week program (2&#x2009;&#xd7;&#x2009;30&#x2009;min/week), of VR or SFV matched in movement patterns, frequency, intensity and duration. Measurements included reaction time (RT), Stroop Test (versions 1-3), Letter Cancellation Test (LCT), Trail Making Test (TMT), Trail Walking Test (TWT) and Fitts task (difficulty level 1-4). Data were analyzed using mixed-design ANOVAs. RESULTS: Improvements were observed in Stroop reading (F(1,53) = 14.84, p < .001, &#x3b7;2 = 0.219), Stroop inhibition (F(1,53) = 10.99, p = .002, &#x3b7;2 = 0.172), and LCT (F(1,53) = 4.57, p = .037, &#x3b7;2 = 0.079). A time&#x2009;&#xd7;&#x2009;group interaction was found for TMT (F(1,53) = 6.55, p = .031, &#x3b7;2 = 0.110), indicating greater changes following VR training. Both groups improved cognitive-motor performance (TWT: F(1,25) = 55.32, p < .001, &#x3b7;2 = 0.689; Fitts3: F(1,53) = 44.97, p < .001, &#x3b7;2 = 0.459), with greater gains for VR in Fitts3 (p = .006). CONCLUSION(S): Eight weeks of VR and SFV enhanced cognitive and cognitive-motor performance. VR provided domain-specific advantages in executive function, but these effects were not uniformly persistent. SFV sustained more improvements in real-world-relevant cognitive-motor tasks.

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HumansFemaleAdultMaleVideo GamesVirtual RealityCognitionReaction TimeYoung AdultStroop TestCognitive EnhancementPsychomotor PerformanceExerciseTrail Walking TestVirtual realitycognitive trainingexecutive functionexergameJournal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialComparative StudyResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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Mona Herden, Sidney Grospr&#xea;tre, Pauline Eon, Laura Luise Bischoff, Bettina Wollesen. 2026-08-31. Game changer? Cognitive-motor effects of VR exergaming compared to video-based training.. https://doi.org/10.1080/07853890.2026.2713245

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Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial; Comparative Study; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't resourceAdult subjectCognition subjectCognitive Enhancement subjectCognitive Training subjectComparative Study subjectExecutive Function subjectExercise subjectFemale subjectHumans subjectJournal Article subjectMale subjectRandomized controlled trials studyexergame subject

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